Griffiths Has A Platform

He’s quite a natural goalscorer and a natural footballer and then also he needs to keep working hard for the team, which he is doing"

Kenny Jackett

Kenny Jackett believes Wolves’ top scorer Leigh Griffiths is relishing the platform to go out and score the goals to keep the team pushing for promotion from Sky Bet League One.

Jackett made bringing Griffiths back into the fold after successful loan spells at Hibernian an early priority on taking the Wolves’ job, and the striker has rewarded that faith with nine goals already so far this season.

The Head Coach also believes there is much more to come from the Scottish international, who “can be as good as he wants to be”.

“Leigh came alive in the second half against Oldham after not having the best of first halves,” said Jackett.

“You could see that in his play – there were a couple of backheels and he brought us some confidence and got a goal and could have had more.

“He also got involved in the build-up play too, which he has the ability to do.

“It’s really up to Leigh how good he can be.

“He’s got the platform now at a tremendous club like Wolves and he’s got a first-team place at the moment so he has to keep hold of that.

“It really is up to him how far he wants to go, but even in a quiet game he can score a goal, which is a vital thing to have in your forwards.

“That’s a big thing for him personally to have and he has the ability to join in with the build-up play.

“He can play, he can pass and play people in.

“I don’t want to jump ahead of myself and I want to keep Leigh’s feet on the floor, but it really is up to him at his age and as a goalscorer, it’s about how hard he wants to work on his conditioning because his jump isn’t bad either.

“For a little guy, he can back in and win a header.

“I certainly think he can score from headers too if we can get crosses in.

“But really it’s up to him how good he wants to be – it depends on how much drive there is inside him.

“He’s quite a natural goalscorer and a natural footballer and then also he needs to keep working hard for the team, which he is doing.

“We hope he gets many, many goals for us this season, but after that, it’s about being part of a successful team which is the ultimate.”

Griffiths signed a new contract at the start of this season, and Wolves are hoping Danny Batth will also follow in committing his future to the club.

Negotiations are ongoing with the defender, who has been one of Wolves’ most consistent players so far this season.

“There are no developments with Danny – everything is exactly as it was and there’s no agreement,” added Jackett.

“We’re continually ready to talk but at present there is no agreement.

“It’s not something we’ve stepped away from – if we could sign Danny this afternoon we would.

“I just think it’s a case of as and when Danny wants to settle things.

“He’s been first class in his play and his approach but until he’s ready to be honest with you, it’s not going to be a situation that’s going to be resolved.

“But we’re not holding off or backing off or we haven’t ‘parked’ it - the ball is in his court.”